Feeling Helpless

America is once again a witness to a mass shooting.  I am not going to go into the details about each one.  You can find that information on the news.  But if you are like me after each one of these incidents, you feel helpless. 

One can donate money to some organization that may help the victims and their families.  Donate to the Red Cross who usually help at the site of the incident.  Donate money to your religious denomination who can provide for the needs of people in the area. 

It is also during these times when I want to silently create.  Usually what I create does not go to the victims of the shooting or disaster but the need for beauty is needed at these times so creating is healing in itself.

Studies have shown that creating alleviates depression.  If you are doing something repetitive like knitting or crocheting, that repetitive motion releases serotonin, a chemical in the brain that is a natural anti-depressant. 

For a lot of people creating something helps relax them.  Staying calm will help with any helpless feelings.  It also helps alleviate stress.   Even if the incident is hundreds of miles away, it still can create stress in you. Another thing that often happens to me after one of these situations, even miles away, is that I cannot sleep.  Creating relaxes me so I am able to sleep.

Creating can also be a form of prayer.  If while you are creating you are sending prayers of healing to the communities involved how can that be a bad thing?  Prayer is never bad.

And when something like a shooting or a natural disaster occurs, you grieve even if it is not in your community.  You naturally feel the pain of other people.  Creating something beautiful helps with the grieving.

And if you want to give what you made to someone else, share it with a homeless shelter or an abused woman’s shelter.  If it is a painting it can brighten someone’s day.  If it is for an individual, they will not feel as alone.  Just remember to create even in the worst times.

 

©2019 Cheryl Fillion

When The Worst Happens

For the past couple of weeks, I have been watching the news reports of the damage done by Hurricane Harvey in my home state of Texas.  I never received any of the rain from Harvey but I did wonder how I could help those who did receive the wind and floods.

When Hurricanes Katrina and then Rita hit in 2005, there was a call for quilts for those who had been displaced from their homes.  Our local guild sewed and quilted for days.  No call has come for quilts yet but I started working on some charity quilts just in case.

I wondered what else I could do and have come up with a list of how to help in times of personal or community disasters.

1- Give to local trustworthy charities that are helping in the effort.  My favorite is the Red Cross.  It might mean giving up some supplies for your art but it is worth it.

2- If you can make something to donate, do so.  Quilts, scarves, hats, anything that will help keep those affected warm and wrapped in love.

3- If a local organization is collecting items to take to a disaster area, donate some items.  It is better for those affected if those items like clothes and blankets are new.  You might have a wonderfully warm blanket that is gently used but if your cat or dog or anyone who smokes has been around it, that won’t be helpful if the recipient is allergic to any of these allergens.  (and the same might also be true if you are buying soap to donate.  Try not to give any with perfumes).

If you are bringing canned goods, get some that have a top that opens without a can opener and that might not need a microwave to be cooked.  People in a disaster situation might not have can openers or microwaves.  Peanut butter (or any nut butter) is always a good thing.  It can be eaten on bread or crackers (or in a pinch with fingers), doesn’t need refrigeration or be open with a can opener and still provides a lot of protein.

4- If you and your friends have some art or crafts you can sell, set up an impromptu craft sale and donate the money.  If this seems like something that will take a long time to arrange, know that usually in a natural disaster the need is still there weeks and months after the storm has gone.

5- If the disaster is a personal one such as a house fire, see what you can do for that person.  Take up a collection of kitchen items, or craft or art supplies. Or even a monetary donations so they can get what they need or want.  

Most people want to help in situations like theses and anything you can do is helpful; even a small donation.  A small donation could buy a case of bottled water which in areas of Texas was greatly needed.  Or your small donation could be added to another small donation and help in a bigger way. 

Do what you can to help.  And while you are helping, keep creating.  You never know how what you create now, as people are healing from a disaster, can help in that healing.

©2017 – Cheryl Fillion